Zep 3:8 | NET2full | STEP | Therefore you must wait patiently for me,” says the Lord , “for the day when I attack and take plunder . I have decided to gather nations together and assemble kingdoms , so I can pour out my fury on them— all my raging anger . For the whole earth will be consumed by my fiery anger .

‏ Zephaniah 3:8

8 Therefore you must wait patiently ^{▼▼tn The second person verb form (“you must wait patiently”) is masculine plural, indicating that a group is being addressed. Perhaps the humble individuals addressed earlier (see 2:3) are in view. Because of Jerusalem’s sin, they must patiently wait for judgment to pass before their vindication arrives.} for me,” says the Lord,
“for the day when I attack and take plunder. ^{▼▼tn Heb “when I arise for plunder.” The present translation takes עַד (ʿad) as “plunder.” Some, following the LXX, repoint the term עֵד (ʿed) and translate, “as a witness” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV). In this case the Lord uses a legal metaphor to picture himself as testifying against his enemies. Adele Berlin takes לְעַד (leʿad) in a temporal sense (“forever”) and translates “once and for all” (Zephaniah [AB 25A], 133).}
I have decided ^{▼▼tn Heb “for my decision is.”} to gather nations together
and assemble kingdoms,
so I can pour out my fury on them—
all my raging anger.
For ^{▼▼tn Or “certainly.”} the whole earth will be consumed
by my fiery anger.